"Certainly, my dear--Magnus first, as a matter of course. What do you say, Magnus? Any suggestion to make? Any little improvement? How do you like the contract?"
There was an awkward silence which astonished the older people, and then came a great surprise. Magnus, who had been sitting with his head down, raised a white and firm-set face and answered:
"I do not like the contract at all, Factor, and I cannot sign it."
At this there were looks of bewilderment among the older people, who seemed to be uncertain if they had heard aright, while Thora and Oscar, who partly understood, seemed to be struggling to catch their breath. The Factor was the first to recover his self-possession, and he said, with a slightly supercilious accent:
"Is that so? I thought I knew something of these matters; but if you think you can draw up a better document, Magnus----"
But then the Governor interposed: "Some trifle, no doubt," he said suavely. "Magnus will explain. What is the point you object to, my son?"
There was another moment of tense silence, and then Magnus said in a harsh voice:
"By this contract I am required to live in Iceland all my life--that's slavery, and I will not submit to it."
"But, my dear Magnus," said Anna, "don't you see the reason for that? To all intents and purposes Thora is the Factor's only daughter--his only child--and if she goes away, who is to cheer him up and make home bright for him? Be reasonable, Magnus!"
"Anna, hadn't we better let the young man finish?" said the Factor. "He may have other objections. Have you?"